SHELACH

Pop Quiz: What punishment was given to the man found violating the
Shabbat?

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON by Rabbi Shmuel Choueka

"To the Tribe of Yosef, to the Tribe of Menasheh" (Bemidbar 13:11)

When the Torah lists the names of the spies who went into Israel, it
attributes the Tribe of Menasheh as being part of the Tribe of Yosef.
This is very strange, since it doesn't do so when mentioning the Tribe of
Ephraim, who is usually mentioned as the son of Yosef only with Menasheh!
The Da'at Zekenim explains that since the prince of Menasheh was one of
those guilty of spreading slander about Israel, and he came form Yosef
Hasadik, who was also accused of speaking against his brothers, we
therefore attribute Menasheh's words as being a result of Yosef's words.
However, Yehoshua, the prince of Ephraim, did not say any negative
report, so he is not attributed to Yosef.

Amazing! Yosef had lived hundreds of years before this episode, and
what he said against his brothers was in a constructive manner to his
father. Yet the Torah wants us to know that our actions and words may
have far-reaching consequences. We should never think of our deeds as
being insignificant. They may have an effect on our families and those
we influence for many generations. All the more so when we say or do
good things, the effect can be phenomenal! Shabbat Shalom.

FIRST AND FOREMOST Rabbi Reuven Semah

"As the first of your kneading you shall set aside a loaf as a portion"
(Bemidbar 15:20)

Our perashah tells the tragic story of the spies who gave a frightening
report to the Jewish people who were about to enter the holy land of
Israel. The spies had a mission, to view the land first-hand and
describe its beauty and holiness, which would encourage the people to
enter the land and conquer it. Instead they reported that it was
unconquerable and we should not enter.

Later in the perashah we are given the misvah of hallah. Every person
who bakes must separate a piece of dough and give it to the Kohen. This
misvah was performed originally in the land of Israel. The Enayim
Latorah explains that this misvah of hallah is to give atonement for the
sin of the spies. Imagine the great honor that was bestowed upon these
twelve men, to be the first Jews to set foot on the holy land, a land
that was promised hundreds of years earlier to Abraham. They should have
lovingly touched the soil and kissed its stones and thanked Hashem to be
the first to enter. We remember the great honor felt by the first men to
walk on the moon. The land of Israel is far more holy and important. To
atone for this, the Jewish people were commanded to give the first piece
of dough from the produce of this land.

I know a great Rabbi who was born in Israel. His love for Israel was
for real. He always used to say that the streets of the most immoral
districts in Tel-Aviv have more holiness than all of the holy places
outside of Israel. Politics aside, the land of Israel today is our holy
home that we yearn to live in. Shabbat Shalom.

JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS

"We cannot go up to the people because they are stronger than us"
(Bemidbar 13:31)

The Akedah explains that the report of the spies itself was appropriate.
They were told to see the land and report back on the conditions of the
land itself and of the people who lived there. But their task was just
to observe and relate what they saw. Their mistake was in rendering a
decision that they should not attempt to enter the land. It was not up
to them to come to any final conclusions, only to report the facts.

They were wrong about their not being able to conquer the land. Hashem
has the power to help against all odds. Just because in their minds they
did not think it was possible for them to successfully take over the land
of Israel did not mean that it was really not possible.

Very often people see factors in a situation and come to erroneous
conclusions based on their perceptions. Even if someone's observations
are correct, there could always be factors that he didn't take into
consideration or that he was unaware of. It is a special talent to be
able to reach correct decisions based on the facts. This is especially
true when having to make judgments about other people. Some people have
a strong tendency to reach negative conclusions about others that are
inaccurate. Even if what you see about another person is basically true,
always keep in mind that your conclusions could be wrong and the other
person should still be judged favorably. (Growth through Torah)

Answer to Pop Quiz: They stoned him.

Please preserve the sanctity of this bulletin. It contains words of
Torah and should be treated with respect.

Other Torah e-mail you may enjoy:
send e-mail to majordomo@sitt.com and put in the message:
subscribe aram-soba

Please pass this bulletin along to a friend. You may subscribe to
this bulletin by sending e-mail to majordomo@sitt.com
and putting in the message: subscribe jersey-shore.
To unsubscribe, send the message 'unsubscribe jersey-shore' to
majordomo@sitt.com